UC 5 makes PCCL final four

CEBU, Philippines - The University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters advanced into the Final Four of the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) after they booted out the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 83-67, yesterday at the culmination of the week-long Vis-Min Zonals at the Cebu Coliseum.

Earlier, UAAP losing finalist Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraws knocked out the Jose Rizal University (JRU) Heavy Bombers, 64-60. They will play against the winner between the San Sebastian College and the Adamson University Falcons in the continuation of the league in the Manila.

From their CESAFI championship, the Webmasters were also feted with the Southern Islands championship in addition to the Final Four slot.

With 6-foot-9 beanpole Junemar Fajardo scoring 30 points, the Webmasters needed only to heat up in the second period to offset a sluggish start. Then, they have a brilliant third-quarter show that rendered the Warriors in chaos staring at a 22-deficit, 68-38.

The Warriors showed a bit of tenacity though as they responded with a 14-2 bomb, but the best they could muster was to pull within 50-60 with 1:13 going into the final quarter.

Kelvin Juliane and Edward Pao heavily backed up Fajardo with 33 points combined as they never gave the Warriors any breathing room from the start.

The Warriors tried to staged another rally but could no longer recover after being buried again on Quinton Brian Heruela's basket, 83-62, at the final two-minute mark of the contest.

Michael Cantonao had 18 points for the Warriors, who had a decent 4-1 win-loss record in the PCCL qualifying tournament billed as Cebu Basketball Festival.

Earlier, veteran Riel Cervantes delivered the crucial points at the endgame to lift the Tamaraws over the Heavy Bombers. He finished with16 points.

Cervantes and UAAP Final MVP Ryan Ross Garcia sealed their victory by hitting three insurance points from the stripe.

The Heavy Bombers, who could hardly miss in the first half, were led by the tandem of Cebuano guard JR Bulangis and Jeckster Apinan with 11 points apiece. (THE FREEMAN)